Over two years into the Ukraine conflict, Russian elites are increasingly aligning with President Vladimir Putin's pro-war and anti-Western stance, as observed by analysts including @Stanovaya. Despite initial expectations of war fatigue and internal dissent leading to disillusionment with Putin, the opposite has occurred, noted by @ElbridgeColby. The Russian elite now view alignment with Putin as crucial for their survival, adopting a more bellicose and unified front against the West. This shift has solidified as Putin's narrative becomes pervasive across all segments of Russian society, with no visible signs of seeking an exit strategy from the conflict, as highlighted by @LawDavF.
After more than two years of war with Ukraine, many Russians now believe that the country’s current period of repression and zealotry is here to stay—and that to survive they must commit to the Kremlin’s anti-Western agenda, writes @Stanovaya. https://t.co/6YAsueGOqH
A year ago, as Ukraine readied for its counter-offensive, just holding its own positions was considered the most pessimistic scenario. Now, as Russia prepares for a fresh push, it is considered the best case https://t.co/M5XB9MuSOx 👇
Putin’s pro-war and anti-Western narrative is now pervasive across all segments of the Russian elite, writes @Stanovaya. Russians appear ready to fight forever in Ukraine—and nobody in Moscow seems to be looking for an exit strategy from the war. https://t.co/4vXJYxaOAd
Just the facts: “Many Western observers assumed that war fatigue, resource shortages, and intelligence failures would spur public dissatisfaction, internal conflicts among elite, and disillusionment with Putin. That has demonstrably not happened.” 1/ https://t.co/dWUiMNrtBD
“More than two years of war have made the Russian elites more anti-Western and anti-Ukrainian than ever, binding them to Putin as their sole assurance of survival.” https://t.co/9lsJG1vNoP
“Vladimir Putin’s forces are in the ascendancy – but there is still no end to the war in sight.” 🖊️ @LawDavF https://t.co/ryzP5lYcc6
“Rather than fragmenting, Russia’s elites are becoming increasingly bellicose and marching in lockstep with the regime.” Read @Stanovaya on why more and more Russians are adopting Putin’s pro-war and anti-Western sentiments: https://t.co/2slJevdA60
As the conflict in Ukraine drags on, Russian elites are becoming more pro-war and radically anti-Western than ever, writes @Stanovaya. What explains high-status Russians’ increasing alignment with the Kremlin? https://t.co/3wcur38YeP